Palm oil is one of the most widely used ingredients in everyday products, from food to cosmetics. Yet, despite its versatility and efficiency, palm oil has earned a negative reputation due to its association with deforestation, wildlife destruction, and environmental harm. This bad press has been fuelled by high-profile campaigns such as the Rang-Tan Christmas ad by Iceland, which highlighted the plight of endangered orangutans affected by palm oil production or eco-propaganda movies like Ozi: The Voice of the Forest.
However, the conversation around palm oil is much more nuanced. In fact, sustainable palm oil may hold the key to solving many of the environmental and social issues associated with its production. Let’s explore why palm oil has such a bad name, how negative perceptions have been shaped, and why the solution lies in supporting sustainable practices.
How Did Palm Oil Become So Controversial?
Palm oil’s rise to infamy can largely be traced to its association with deforestation in tropical regions, especially in Indonesia and Malaysia. These countries, which are the largest producers of palm oil, have seen vast areas of rainforest cleared to make way for palm plantations. This deforestation has led to a loss of biodiversity and the destruction of critical habitats for endangered species like orangutans, rhinos, and tigers.
Campaigns like the Rang-Tan Christmas ad, which portrayed a young orangutan whose home had been destroyed by palm oil production, amplified the public’s awareness of these issues. While the ad was meant to raise awareness of unsustainable practices, it inadvertently fuelled calls to boycott palm oil altogether. However, such campaigns often oversimplify the issue and overlook the fact that palm oil, when produced sustainably, can actually help mitigate environmental damage.
The Efficiency of Palm Oil and Why It’s Hard to Replace
Despite its environmental impact, palm oil is incredibly efficient compared to other vegetable oils. According to The Conversation, palm oil is the world’s most-used fat source because it produces more oil per hectare than any other crop. This means that switching to alternatives like soy or sunflower oil would require significantly more land to produce the same amount of oil, potentially causing even more deforestation.
Boycotting palm oil isn’t the solution—it would simply shift the problem to other crops. Instead, the focus should be on promoting sustainable palm oil production, which can meet global demand without further harming the environment.
Sustainable Palm Oil is the Real Solution
Sustainability certifications schemes like the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) are driving positive change in the industry. These certifications ensure that palm oil is produced in a way that minimizes environmental impact, protects wildlife habitats, and respects the rights of workers and local communities.
RSPO, for example, sets stringent criteria for reducing deforestation, ensuring ethical labour practices, and promoting transparency across the supply chain. MSPO is another key certification, particularly in Malaysia, where it is mandatory for all palm oil producers. It not only supports sustainable practices but also safeguards the livelihoods of smallholders who rely on palm oil for their income.
Both certifications provide traceability features—RSPO eTrace and MSPO Trace—allowing consumers to track the journey of palm oil from plantation to product. This transparency is crucial for ensuring that consumers can trust the sustainability claims made by brands.
Shifting Perceptions Through Education and Awareness
Misleading ads and campaigns have painted palm oil in a negative light, but the truth is more complex. Sustainable palm oil offers a path forward that balances the need for economic development with the responsibility to protect the environment. Consumers have an important role to play in this shift.
By choosing products with RSPO or MSPO certifications, consumers can support brands that are committed to sustainable sourcing. Tools like the PalmOil Scan app, developed by Chester Zoo, make it easy to check whether the palm oil in products is sustainably sourced. By scanning barcodes, consumers can make informed choices that support ethical palm oil production.
The Shift Towards Sustainable Practices
The good news is that many organizations and corporations are advocating for sustainable palm oil production. Reputable groups such as WWF, Zoological Society of London (ZSL), Orangutan Land Trust, and Chester Zoo are working tirelessly to promote sustainable practices that protect wildlife and ecosystems. These organizations provide guidance, research, and support for sustainable palm oil initiatives, emphasizing that it is possible to cultivate palm oil responsibly.
Many well-known corporations have also made a commitment to using sustainable palm oil in their products. FMCG companies like L’Oréal, Nestlé, Unilever, Ferrero, and supermarket chains like Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Carrefour, Lidl , Marks & Spencer, or Waitrose actively source palm oil that meets rigorous sustainability standards. These brands recognize that sustainable palm oil not only mitigates environmental concerns but also appeals to increasingly conscious consumers who prioritize ethical sourcing.
A Greener Future Through Sustainable Choices
While palm oil has a bad name due to its links to deforestation and environmental degradation, the solution isn’t to boycott it but to support sustainable production. As the most efficient vegetable oil crop, palm oil can meet the needs of a growing global population with less land use than alternatives. By encouraging the adoption of sustainability certifications like RSPO and MSPO, we can help protect the environment, preserve biodiversity, and ensure that palm oil production is fair and ethical.
Consumers, companies, and governments all have a role to play in driving this change. Choosing sustainably sourced palm oil is not just an ethical choice—it’s a practical one that benefits the planet, wildlife, and people alike.